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East Hartford Man Accused Of Molesting Girl Avoids Prison

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (CBS Connecticut and AP) – An East Hartford man charged with molesting a 6-year-old girl has avoided prison after pleading to lesser charges.

The Journal Inquirer reports that James Doherty was sentenced to two years of conditional discharge Tuesday after pleading guilty under the Alford doctrine to third-degree assault and reckless endangerment. Conditional discharge is similar to probation.

Pleading under the doctrine means a defendant doesn’t admit guilt, but concedes there’s enough evidence to be convicted.